Central Works Theatre has announced its 30th (!) Season, and Bystanders is one of the four plays that will premier there in 2020.
It promises to be a kick-ass season, which includes a musical. Central Works produces only new plays. In 2019, three of four plays produced were written by women; next year, their playwright gender parity is 50/50. While I don’t know two of the plays (the musical and my play are in draft form at the moment) … I highly recommend The Human Ounce by Nicole Parizeau, which opens in February.
Here’s the Bystanders play teaser:
BYSTANDERS
In the wake of a tragic and senseless act of gun violence, two women strive to connect despite their grief and guilt. Zayne is determined to learn if Hannah could have foreseen the shooting, or even prevented it. Hannah is sick to death of inaction, and clichéd calls for “thoughts and prayers.” She has a secret, daring plan to put an end to the violence. But will the idea work? Is it ethical? … Or might it create even more trauma? Inside a culture that’s inundated with news of everyday shootings, two citizens struggle to understand their duties as bystanders.